Factsheets

Google slideshow

Who's that animal pest?Students can use the factsheets (above) to help solve the animal pest crimes outlined in this slideshow. Each case involves a different pest culprit.

Setting up tracking tunnelImage: Shan Walker

Learning outcomes

Using this resource students can:

gather and interpret data about animal pests living in a local green space

identify and learn about introduced pests and how they affect endemic and native plants and animals

begin to understand how animal pests have an impact on the environment and wider ecosystem.

Curriculum links

Level 1-4 Science

Living World: Planet Earth and Beyond Level 1 and 2: Interacting systems: Describe how natural features are changed and resources affected by natural events and human actions.

Living World: Ecology Level 3 and 4: Explain how living things are suited to their particular habitat and how they respond to changes, both natural and human-induced.

Nature of Science: Investigating in science, Communicating in science, Understanding about science, Participating and contributing.

Science capabilities

Gather and interpret data

Use evidence

Critique evidence

Interpret representations

Engage with science

Level 1-4 Social Sciences

Level 1: Understand how the past is important to people.

Level 2: Understand how places influence people and people influence places; Understand how time and change affect people's lives.

Level 3: Understand how people make decisions about access to and use of resources.

Level 4: Understand that events have causes and effects.

English: Listening, Reading and Viewing

Maths: Statistics

Technology: Technological practice, Nature of technology

Learning sequence

Introducing animal pests in your green space - Individual students have personal experiences to spark their interest in pests and start to think about impacts.

Planning an investigation and learning more about animal pests in NZ - Start or continue a learning inquiry. Students reflect on knowledge and then ask questions about pests. They make predictions and plan an investigation to learn more about animal pests.

Gathering and reflecting on data about animal pests in your green space- Monitor animal pests in your green space through constructing and placing a monitoring tool such as tracking tunnels.

Extending thinking about animal pests- Continue the learning inquiry: Investigate patterns and themes and form new ideas about pests. Explore Maori perspectives.

Sharing knowledge and next steps - Students share their findings with the community and then take the next steps in exploring their green spaces

Learning levels

Primary

Secondary

Topics

Forests and green spaces

Pests and threats

Curriculum learning areas

Science

Social science

Education for sustainability

English

Maths and statistics

Feedback

We would love to get your feedback about our resources so they are useful to you and your students.